Brad Rowbotham stood and cheered along with the other fans as he watched the Thunder win two playoff games last week.

The next time he comes to Stockton Arena, it won't be as a fan, but as the owner.

Rowbotham, a Canadian oil executive from Red Deer, Alberta, officially became the owner of the Thunder on Monday when the sale received the unanimous approval of the ECHL Board of Governors. Rowbotham assumes control of the team from Michael Reinsdorf, who purchased the franchise and moved it to Stockton in 2005.

Rowbotham and Reinsdorf came to an agreement on the sale Feb. 23, and Rowbotham wasn't going to wait for the ownership change to start rooting for his team.

"I was there jumping out of my seat and cheering, and I don't think I've been that excited at hockey games. Let's just say I was already invested in the team," Rowbotham said. "And it feels wonderful to get everything settled with the sale. We've been looking forward to this day."

Rowbotham and his family watched Stockton beat Alaska on Friday and Saturday to advance to the second round of the playoffs, which begins at 7 p.m. Friday at Rabobank Arena when the Condors host Stockton in the first game of the best-of-seven series. Bakersfield eliminated Victoria with a 2-1 win Monday in Game 5 of their first-round series.

The Stockton City Council approved the transfer of the lease on April 5. Reinsdorf's last act as owner was proposing the motion to change ownership to the board, which voted 19-0 to approve. The Thunder did not get a vote because it initiated the action.

"It's a great day for the Thunder. Brad is a great guy and will do well," said Reinsdorf, who owns International Facilities Group, which manages Stockton Arena, Oak Park Ice Arena and Bob Hope Theatre.

"I'm proud of what we accomplished in our five years of ownership. We laid a good foundation, and I know Brad will continue to move forward."

"Brad is going to be a very viable owner in the league, and we welcome him," McKenna said. "Michael is a good businessman and quality owner who was great to deal with. We hate to lose him, but we pick up a quality guy in Brad Rowbotham."

Rowbotham reiterated that he doesn't have any plans to change the franchise's operations and has confidence in Thunder president Dan Chapman and coach Matt Thomas.

"We're going to continue on course. We're not going to do anything to interrupt the momentum," Rowbotham said. "It's what Dan and Matt think is best of the team right now, and they have the experience."